Review. Monitoring the intermodal, refrigerated transport of fruit using sensor networks

Abstract

Most of the fruit in Europe is transported by road, but the saturation of the major arteries, the increased demand for freight transport, and environmental concerns all indicate there is a need to change this means of transport. A combination of transport modes using universal containers is one of the solutions proposed: this is known as intermodal transport. Tracking the transport of fruit in reefer containers along the supply chain is the means by which product quality can be guaranteed. The integration of emerging information technologies can now provide real-time status updates. This paper reviews the literature and the latest technologies in this area as part of a national project. Particular emphasis is placed on multiplexed digital communication technologies and wireless sensor networks.

A model and prototype implementation for tracking and tracing agricultural batch products along the food chain

“…The most effective way for the food company to prove that a third-party transport has done its job correctly is to monitor the shipment independently from the transport company. Jedermann, Behrens, Westphal, and Lang (2006) and Ruiz-Garcia et al (2007) and Ruiz-Garcia and Barreiro (2008) have studied monitoring transport systems by means of WSN and RFID. These systems automatically and continually collects data such temperature, humidity, location, status of cooling equipment, light, etc.…”

An Open-System Transportation Security Sensor Network: Field-Trial Experiences

“…The protocol was deployed successfully to test hardware; however, additional research is needed to create tamper-resistant units for monitoring container security [32]. Also in 2007, Ruiz-Garcia et al [33] argued that the technology already exists to develop a monitoring system for refrigerated containers. They added that sensor readings and GPS information can be combined to track a shipping container through different stages of the supply chain.…”

Performance of ZigBee-Based wireless sensor nodes for real-time monitoring of fruit logistics

“…It has been developed to allow low power consumption and years of battery life. The suitability of this standard for monitoring has been proposed by various authors (Qingshan et al, 2004;Baker, 2005;Wang et al, 2006;Jedermann et al, 2006;Ruiz-Garcia et al, 2007).…”

“…Jedermann et al (2006) presented a system for intelligent containers combining wireless sensor networks and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Ruiz-Garcia et al (2007) analyzed monitoring intermodal refrigerated fruit transport, facing the integration of wireless sensor networks with multiplexed communications and fleet management systems. Such devices can be placed in transport vehicles in order to monitor the on-the-go environment and can be the basis for distributed systems, enabling environment sensing together with data processing.…”